Parents, to help your little ones live healthier lives and prevent childhood obesity you can enforce things in your household that are basic and simple. Actually, it is going back to “old school” methods of parenting that your parents or grandparents use to do. With hectic busy lifestyles today, parents tend to miss the simple things sometimes. They are too busy to sit down at a dinner table and eat together; in fact parents in Chicago today take advantage of the drive thru windows at the local fast food restaurants to pick up dinner from time to time.

With obesity being the number one threat to children’s health parents need to take a serious look at our children’s diets and lifestyles. Many studies predict this may be the first generation where parents may outlive the children. This is a big alert! Obesity leads to diabetes and heart disease. Childhood diabetes has increased in recent years.

Here is a list of 3 basic things the family needs to do:

1.    Eat dinner together at least 5 times a week.

2.    Allow the children to watch only 2 hours of TV per week.

3.    Make sure the children get 10 ½ hours of sleep every night.

Ohio State University did a study with five hundred 4-year-old children who got 10 ½ hours of sleep regularly; at least forty percent were not obese. Sleep depravation has been linked to obesity.

Encourage the suggestions above and make sure to prepare healthy, balanced meals with plenty fruits and vegetables. Decrease the amount of sodas and add more pure water and natural herbal teas. Start off your children with this healthy routine from the very start. Also motivate your children to be active. Find family activities to do together that get everyone moving, even if it’s just taking a walk.

Chicago, let’s raise a healthy family!